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2025 Session Update: Week 2
To the Constituents of the 37th House District:
The second full week of the 2025 General Assembly Session concluded last week and we are already one week from the halfway point, known as “Crossover.” Hundreds of bills are now making their way through committees and onto the floor for consideration. The Constitutional Amendments I mentioned last week – including the amendment that would legalize abortion until the moment of birth and roll back our parental consent laws – advanced in the Senate. Those amendments must come back before the House one more time this session, and only one member of the House majority needs to change their vote for it to fail.
As for my legislation, I’m happy to report that my bills to eliminate the license plate registration decal and to increase coverage for prostate screening have unanimously advanced out of committee and will be heard on the House floor this week.
HB2080 modernizes the vehicle registration process by eliminating the registration stickers placed on license plates. It does so by removing the legal requirement for motor vehicle owners to display a physical registration decal, establishing a digital system for verifying registration status, and providing law enforcement with electronic access to registration data to streamline enforcement. Currently, DMV spends approximately $2.3 million to produce and distribute these decals, and more than 560,000 residents spend 30 minutes a year waiting in line at DMV customer service centers to obtain them. Furthermore, an estimated 60,000 are stolen annually, according to DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey.
This bill will address these issues by reducing administrative costs, improving accuracy of motor vehicle registration, and decreasing the need for most people to visit the DMV. It is important to note that HB2080 does not eliminate existing requirements that motor vehicles are to be registered and retains the option for those who wish to visit their local DMV to renew their registration in person. During his administration, Gov. Youngkin has focused on modernizing and streamlining the vehicle ownership process in the Commonwealth, and HB2080 is part of this effort. The DMV’s information technology system is more than 40 years old and in need of upgrades to enable these changes in order to enhance operational efficiencies and improve the user experience.
HB2097 increases access to crucial health services by expanding coverage for prostate cancer screening in the Commonwealth. Virginia has the highest prostate cancer incidence rate and second highest mortality rate for black men in the nation. Because it is often asymptomatic until it becomes metastatic, screening helps detect the disease early when it’s most survivable and least costly to treat. HB2097 seeks to address this by removing out-of-pocket prostate cancer screening costs for high-risk men. It does so by expanding coverage for Prostate Specific Antigen testing (known as PSA) and exams for those who are at higher risk as determined by the American Cancer Society’s guidelines.
This past Friday, January 24, I presented House Joint Resolution 472, commending the American Friends of Lafayette, and marking 200 years to the day that the French Revolutionary War hero appeared in the House of Delegates, at the invitation of then-Gov. James Pleasants. Lafayette helped to secure American Independence, volunteering in the Continental Army at age 19 and developing a close relationship with George Washington. He was wounded at the 1777 Battle of Brandywine and led American troops across Virginia in 1781 to victory at the decisive Battle of Yorktown.
In 1824, President James Monroe invited Lafayette, the last surviving major general of the American Revolution, as “Guest of the Nation” to foster unity and renew patriotism among our citizens, especially as the nation approached the 50th anniversary of its independence. Lafayette’s tour as “Guest of the Nation” in America lasted 13 months. He visited all the then-existing 24 United States and was the first foreign dignitary to address a Joint Session of Congress. Traveling an estimated 6,000 miles, he was hosted by countless cities and met with former Presidents – and proud Virginians – Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. He was given a hero’s welcome everywhere he visited.
Marking the bicentennial of Lafayette’s return to America, the American Friends of Lafayette have organized a 13-month, 24-state event commemoration. The VA250 Commission has partnered with the American Friends of Lafayette to join in the bicentennial of this tour, as it brings history to life for tens of thousands of Americans through re-enactments and educational programs. There have already been dozens of large events across Virginia, including a ceremonial flyover in Yorktown by the French Air and Space Force. After all, America was made in Virginia.
The week was full of familiar faces as we welcomed to the State Capitol constituents from the American Cancer Society, Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Virginia Nurses Association, Virginia Realtors, Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association, and Heavy Construction Contractors Association. I especially enjoyed meeting with our local 4-H and FFA groups. These young men and women are always impressive, and their visits are invaluable opportunities to learn about the legislative process firsthand. Thank you to the chaperones who make their trips to the General Assembly possible.
It is an honor to serve you in the Virginia House of Delegates. If I can be of assistance to you, or you would like to share your position on any of my legislative priorities, please do not hesitate to contact me at DelTAustin@House.Virginia.gov or 804-698-1037.
~ Delegate Terry L. Austin
37th House District
